DON'T FORGET OUR MAY MADNESS AUCTION IS THIS FRIDAY, MAY 1ST.

If you have an item(s) that you would like to donate, please contact LORETTA by Thursday. We need to prepare the proper paperwork ahead of time....BE KIND and let us know about your donation BEFORE Friday. 

lrowe@maine.rr.com

This is an in-house auction and the proceeds will benefit our operating fund. Thank you. 

Graham Shimmield, Executive Director and President of the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, will be our speaker on May 1st. He has enjoyed a fascinating career in ocean exploration. His topic will be: "Tiny Giants of the Ocean."

Graham graduated from the University of Durham in 1981 with a degree in Geology, and received a Ph.D. in Marine Geochemistry from the University of Edinburgh in 1985. He was appointed to a tenured faculty position as Lecturer in Chemical Oceanography in 1984, and promoted to Reader in 1995. In 1996, he was appointed Director of Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS) at the Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory on the north coast of Scotland, a post he held for 12 years. During this period, he helped create the new University of the Highlands and Islands, chairing the research program.

From 1995-8 he served on the international scientific steering committee of the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study, and several major UK and European science programs, Whilst at SAMS, he developed the Northern Seas program, establishing the institution’s reputation in Arctic oceanography, and was a member of the UK International Polar Year Committee. He was also Chairman of the European Census of Marine Life Program, the regional contribution to the international CoML program, from 2004-8.

Graham has served on many strategic European national and international committees, including the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Science Strategy Board. He has been President and vice-president of the European Federation of Marine Science and Technology Societies (EFMS) and has had significant involvement in marine biotechnology as the Managing Director of the European Centre for Marine Biotechnology, and Chairman of the Board of GlycoMar Ltd, a small biotech start-up. Currently, Graham is a Chairman of the joint industry Scientific Advisory Board examining the challenges of decommissioning oil and gas installation in the North Sea.

In 2000, Graham was awarded the title of Honorary Professor at the University of St Andrews. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1998), and the Society of Biology (1999). He has published over 65 scientific peer-reviewed articles.

Since arriving in Maine, Graham has been serving on the boards of the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board, Maine Space Grant and Maine Sea Grant, as well as advisory boards for Maine Maritime Academy and Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory. In February 2013 he was elected to the Board of Trustees for the Consortium for Ocean Leadership. In November 2011, Graham was named by MaineBiz as one of ten “Nexters” helping to shape the future of Maine’s economy. In December 2014, Graham was the recipient of the Society for Underwater Technology President’s Award in recognition of his contributions to oceanography. He was unable to receive the award in person since at the time of the ceremony, he was 3,000 meters below the surface of the ocean, engaged in research.

According to The Random House dictionary of the English language, here are three definitions of terms which our speaker, Robert Monks, referred to in his reflections on the demise of the "Pension":

“A 'pension' is a fixed amount, other than wages, paid at regular intervals to a person or a person’s surviving dependents in consideration of past services, age, merit, poverty, injury or loss.”

“A 'pension plan' is a systematic plan created and maintained, as by a corporation, to make regular payments of benefits to retired or disabled employees, either on a contributory or non-contributory basis.”

"A 'retirement plan' is a systematic plan made and kept by an individual for setting aside income for his or her future retirement.”

In 2004, the I.B.M. corporation closed their pension plan to new employees and in 2008 froze pension payments to all employees offering them a 401K retirement plan. The corporation moved from a defined benefit (pension) plan to defined contribution; agreeing to contribute funds, but not guaranteeing benefits.  

Monks noted that a 401K retirement plan puts a significant burden on the individual to take responsibility, i e. control of one’s retirement, find a trusting money manager.

Monks also noted that public employees who are in Government-sponsored pension (defined benefit) plans face a bleak future of non payments. The only way our systems can't accommodate the commitments they have made is to put our grandchildren in debt. Monks also noted that currently the Maine system is good shape.

Dave Small gave us our invocation:

"Life is always unfinished business" (Richard Gilbert)
In the midst of the whirling day...in the hectic rush to be doing;
In the frantic pace of life, pause here for a moment.
Catch your breath...relax your body...loosen your grip on life.
Consider that our lives are always unfinished business;
Imagine that the picture of our being is never complete;
Allow your life to be a work in progress.
Do not hurry to mold the masterpiece;
Do not rush to finish the picture;
Do not be impatient to complete the drawing.
From beckoning birth to dawning death, we are in process,
And always there is more to be done.
Do not let the incompleteness weigh on your spirit;
Do not despair that imperfection marks your every day;
Do not fear that we are still in the making.
Let us instead be grateful that the world is still to be created;
Let us give thanks that we can be more than we are;
Let us celebrate the power of the incomplete;
For life is always unfinished business.

Peggy Wescott led us in the pledge of allegiance. 

Kathy Grammer played the piano and led us in the national anthem.

President Kris welcomed 40 members and 1 visiting Rotarian, Mike Dickel from Germany.

Glenn Nerbak conducted the raffle with the pot up to $1009. President Kris won the draw, but drew the ace of diamonds. And the beat goes on.....

Happy Dollars: 

• President Kris offered "Happy Dollars" in honor of his son’s acceptance to a summer cyber security program with a full scholarship.  
• Peggy Wescott was happy that the daffodils and forsythias are in bloom.
• Dave Small’s oldest of 5 grandchildren (with 1 more on the way) turns 5 tomorrow.
• Charlie Frair was thankful that his sister is able to help with providing care for his dad.

Proceeds from today's 'happy dollars' are donated in Charlie Frair's name to the Rotary Foundation.

Dave Small shared a note of thanks from Deering High School for the help that Rotarians provided with mock interviews and coaching of high school students.

President Kris shared a note of thanks and appreciation from Stella Patten (Bob Patten's wife) for everyone's kind thoughts, prayers and assistance during the last few months of Bob's life and to those Rotarians who were able to attend his memorial service.

President-elect Bowen Depke reminded everyone that the new Rotary year officially starts on the meeting of July 3rd, which has been canceled in recognition of the July 4th holiday. To kick off the new Rotary year, a Casco Bay Lines cruise is planned to Jewell Island on July 9th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. In addition to fun, socializing, and relaxation, this will be a tribute to Bob Patten, who spearheaded a cleanup effort of Jewell Island when he was the District Governor in 1992. So mark your calendars, more info to come.

Ellen Niewoehner reminded everyone that Rotary’s 'May Madness' auction is scheduled to take place at next week’s meeting...May 1st. Auction items should be delivered on Friday by 11:30 AM. Cash or checks will be accepted from successful bidders with the proceeds benefiting the operating fund.

Mike Fortunato and Cy Hagge announced that the Maine Outdoor Challenge is only 6 weeks away. Silent and live auction items are still needed. A solicitation letter and flyer was shared with Rotarians in attendance and Mike said the same info would be going out to all member through email. Everyone is encouraged to solicit gift certificates for merchandise or services to help make this event a continued success. Larger ticket items are also needed, such as: an afternoon sail or cruise, dinner party, or the use of a vacation home. Contact Mike or Cy for further information.

Correction on the name of the student from Catherine McAuley High School who received the Youth Service Award, the student's name is Sharon Chikuta. We apologize for this error.

The article on the 3-H Project in the Dominican Republic was written by Jan Chapman. We apologize to Jan for this error.

Our volunteers that helped on April 22, 2015 at the Preble Street Soup Kitchen:

Photo: first row: Steve Stromsky, Megan Devlin, Jan Chapman, Dave Small, Bowen Depke; second row: David Lee, Charlie Frair, Alex Depke; third row: Alex St. Hilaire, Mike Fortunato, Cy Hagge, and two Preble St Soup Kitchen volunteers.

Portland Rotary meeting locations for 2015 

If you would like to mark your calendars for where our meetings will be held,
we are at the following locations through June 2015:

As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, the names of the applicants will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share will be handled confidentially. Please contact the Club Secretary (Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com). Your input will be appreciated.

PROSPECT        BUSINESS                       SPONSOR
​Bill Souter             Dawson Smith Purvis & Bassett    Loretta Rowe
 

THE ROTARY DOUBLES TENNIS LEAGUE
Winter/Spring 2015  Season Finale

Rotary Tennis Spring Season 2015  is in the record books. Week 5 was postponed because of a snow storm. It was played May 11 as week 19. The victors had it in the bag. Despite taking no points in the final night, congratulations are due to Jake, Bruce, Peter Ingram and Laura. The social event at Kathy Grammer's is on May 18. Past, present and future members are invited. Please contact Kathy if you're planning on attending. Final Scores are posted below:

You can watch our recent Portland Rotary Club speakers on the Community Television Network website:

http://ctn5.org/shows/rotary-club-speakers-series

You can always find the link on the Portland Rotary Home Page!